Illuminating apparatus



H, J. DILLON 2,219,383

ILLUMINATING APPARATUS Oct. 29, 1940.

Filed Feb. 13, 19:57 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 29; 1940. H. J. DILLON ILLUMINATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 13, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 29,1940 Q r t I 2,219,383

ILLUMINATING APPARATUS Harry J. Dillon, Wilmette, 111; Application February 13, 1937, Serial No. 125,586 I '12 Claims. (01. 240-9) My invention relates generally toilluminating of the upper reflecting hood, taken on line 8--8 apparatus, and it has more specific reference to of Figure 1. means for illuminating what is known as an as- It is tobe understood that the drawings are, in sembly line such as now quite generally used in a sense, merely schematic for the purpose of dislarge factories, and the like. It Will be underclosing a typical or preferred embodiment of 5 stood, however, that the herein-disclosed strucmy invention; and in the said drawings the same ture is well-adapted for many other purposes reference characters are employed to identify than the one just previously referred to. r The like parts wherever such parts are shown in the structure is made in a manner that permits the different views. i v

" securing togetherofthe desired number of units In carrying out my invention I employ an 10 or sections that are disposed end to end for the elongated conductor housing that has a plurality purpose of providing a continuous illuminating of difierently constructed closure elements which apparatus of any length required. In this conlatter afford the respectivev facilities for mountnection I have made use of the principles of inin-g electric sockets and'bulbs, the spacing hangdirect lighting in-orderthat glare isavoided-and ers, the inverted reflector or trough, etc., and 15 there is anabsence of darkened or shaded areas above the conductor housing and trough there below the fixture. Also I have provided means is an especially shaped elongated hood of the whereby proper and desired adjustment of the same length asthe housing that acts as a rerelated parts may be made to the end thatthe flector to direct the rays in a downward direcgreatest efficiency-of the bulbs is obtained and tion. The assembled structure, briefly described 20 the light-rays therefrom are nicely controlled above, comprises a unit several feet in length and directed uponthe areas here they are of and any number of these units may be secured most advantage to .the person. working below the together in a sectional formation to provide an apparatus; illuminating apparatus several hundred feet in It is the purpose of my invention to provide an length. p r 25 illuminating apparatus having numerous objects The housing consists preferably of an elonin View, among which are compactness in the argated strip of sheet metal bent into a substantially rangemen-t and disposition ofothepa rts; dependrectangular U-shape and having a longitudinal ability of operation; efficiency in performingopening vin its top that is closed by certaininits required functions; novelty in construction; strumentalities to provide an enclosure for con- 30 and economy in manufacture, installation and ductor wires. -In cross-section, the housing emuse. I prefer to carry out my invention in subbodies a horizontal'bottom l0, and vertical parstantially the manner. hereinafter described'and, allelside-walls II that have inturned flanges I I2 as more particularly pointed out in the claims, along their upper edges which terminate in 5 reference being made to the accompanying downwardly disposed 611 1 ane u 3 drawings which form a part of this specificathat face each other to receive the longitudinal tion. edges ofthe closure plates l4 that are remov- In the drawings: 7 ably-and adjustably mounted therein. These Figure 1 is a graphic View, drawn in perspecclosure plates M are preferably elongated metal.

tive, showing two sections of my lighting appastrips that are apertured to permitinsertion 4 ratus assembled for use; therein of the tubular mount or supporting ele- Figure 2 is an end elevation of the structure ment l5 extending laterally down from a standshowninFigure' 1, drawn to alarger scale. ard-type electric lamp socket l6 that has its Figure 3 is a longitudinal side elevation of the opening disposed with its axis in a horizontal. structure shown in Figure l with a'portion brokplane. The tubular mount I5 is securely anen away. chored in place by nuts I1 turned on its thread- Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinalsection on edfportion above and below the plate l4. As line 4-4 of Figure 2 drawn to a larger scale. shown, a plurality of these sockets may be ar- Figure 5 is a top planof the structure shown ranged in spaced relation to each other with in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a vertical transverse section on line throughout thelength of a single unit or; section 6- 6 of Figure 4. of myilluminating apparatus. v Figure 7 is a verticaltransverse section on Means are preferably carried by the housing line 1-1 of Figure 3 drawn to an enlarged scale. for controlling certain of the light rays from the Figure 8 is a'section ofa fragmentary portion bulbs-l8 and directing such rays in a generally 55 their lamps or bulbs l8 disposed horizontally upward direction, such control means being in the form of an elongated trough-like reflector that partly surrounds and extends above the housing to a horizontal plane above the light 5 center of the bulbs. This reflector is an elongated metal sheet that is bent substantially U- shape intermediate its longitudinal edges to provide a bottom l9 and horizontally spaced upright parallel sides that are placed flat against the corresponding portions of the housing. These sides 28, however, may extend above; the top of the housing as shown in Figure 7 and they are bent or flared outward and upward to provide the lower reflector walls 2! on opposite sides of 15 the lower portions of the bulbs. Another longitudinal bend is made in eachside of the reflector member as at 22 to provide the upper reflecting walls 23 of said member that extend upward and outward but are more nearly vertical than the walls 2|. Suitable reinforcing metal straps 24 are riveted or otherwise securedto the end edges of the reflector trough and are shaped or..bent to fit the outside configuration of said trough. These straps 24 are arranged to extend beyond the end edges of the reflector trough of one illuminating unit or section in order that such extended portion of a strap may be secured to the end marginal portion of 'theadjacent or next succeeding unit or section, and soon throughout 30 the entire length of a particular installation. Thus, an assembly line several hundred feet in length may be provided with an illuminating apparatus that is continuous and unbroken from end to end. Vertically disposed end walls 25 are secured in any suitable manner to the ends of the trough for the purpose of closing the latter aswell as the ends of the housing. In outline these end walls correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the trough-like reflector and its U-shaped 0 lower portion that embraces the sides and bottom of the housing.

The direct light rays emanating from the bulbs and the light rays that are projected upward and outward from the reflecting faces or 'walls 45 2| and 23 of the reflector trough do not reach the ceiling but are interrupted by the underneath reflecting surface of an elongated hood or canopy disposed in spaced relation'above the reflector trough and housing. The purpose of 50this hood or canopy is to changethe direction of the light rays by projectingthem, in a controlled manner, downward to the level of the work-plane below the housing. By reference to the dot-dash lines in Figure 2 it may be seen 55 that all of the light rays leaving the interior of the trough, both those direct from the bulbs and those reflected from the surfaces of the walls 2| and 23, are projected downward by the'hood or canopy and do not escape past the sides of the 0 latter. This hood or canopy embodies a strip of sheet metal substantially the length of the strip forming the reflector trough but of considerably greater width as will be apparent by reference to Figure 2. The'central longitudinal e portion 26 of the hood is preferably horizontal and the outer marginal portions 21 depend vertically to provide pendent longitudinal skirts that extend the entire length of each unit or section of the apparatus. At the side edges of the mid- 70 portion the metal sheet is given bends orbreaks to provide slightly oblique surfaces forming longitudinal parallel zones 29 thatincline downward away from the horizontal central zone 26. About half-way between the bends 28 and the acute 75 bends'30 at the tops of the pendent skirts 27,

the metal sheet is given bends or breaks 3| which provide other downwardly inclined oblique surfaces forming parallel longitudinal zones 32.

The disposition or planes of the several zones 26, 29 and 32 are such that practically all the direct light rays from the bulbs l8 as well as the reflected light rays from the interior surfaces of the trough reach these zones and are reflected in a downward direction to the working plane. The skirts 21 are arranged so that none of the light rays passing above theupp'eredges of the reflector trough can escape beyond or past the hood or canopy as shown by the dot-dash line at the right in Figure 2. Suitably shaped straps 33 reinforce the end edges of the metal sheet forming the hood or canopy and are riveted or otherwise secured to the metal sheet so as to extend beyond the end edge thereof in order to overlap and be secured to the abutting marginal end portion of the next succeeding unit or section; substantially in the same manner that the straps 24 secure the abutting edges of the trough units together. v I v .The. hood orhcanopy is maintained in proper spaced relation to the lower members of the apparatus by means of hangers 34 which are preferably metal rods 0r pipes that have elongated threaded portions that pass through suitable apertures in the straps 33 and the hood and are secured in adjusted positions by; nuts 35 and 38 that, engage respectively the upper and lower faces of the hood. Suitable suspension hooks or rings 31 at the. upper endsof the hangers 34 provide means for receiving pendent cables, chains, or other devices by Which the fixture may be suspended fromthe ceiling or other overhead structure. By this arrangementtheentire fixture may be bodilyraised or lowered to the proper position relative, to the working plane being illuminated, and thehood and trough-may be adjusted relative to each other. in order to secure the vgreatest efficiency, from the lamps or bulbs mountedin the trough. This latterv adjustment is especially desirable to take care of different sizes or types of lamps or bulbs that may be used in the trough,

.Threads are-provided, on the-lower end portions of the hangers 34 that extendi'nto the conductor housing and means areprovided in the upper opening of ;said housingto anchor the hangers inaplac'e. The means which have just been mentioned embody a pair of rectangular plates 38 and 39 that areof proper width to enter theopening in the top of the housing andvhave their longitudinal edges engage with thelower horizontally disposed lips or shelves of the Z- shaped guides l3. Plate 38 rests upon the shelves of the guides, while plate 39 engages the'undersurfaces of these shelves, and the two vplates are drawn towards each other in clamping relation against said shelves by screws 40f These plates have central apertures for passage of the adjacent portion of the hangers and threadedhollow stubs 4! surround the openings the .upper plates 38 into which the .hangers are screwed and secured against rotation by a transverse lock element 42. Upstanding lugs -43 -at' thecorners of the lower plates 39 fit into edge recesses-44 in the top plates and assist in preventing relative movements of the plates, and in order to avoid accidental -dislodgement of thesefplates suitable L-shaped metal clips 45 are anchored to the trough at the 'locationsof the straps 2450 that the lateral armsof saidjclips-willrest upon the upper ends of at least was: 'the lugs 43-of 0 overhanging the edges thereof a substantial each set of plates. Thus, should the clamp screws 40 become loosened the plates Jareprevented from leaving their proper positions on the guides bysaid clips. I

When theplates 3.8 and 39 and. :the closure plates M aredisposed. in abutting .relation to each other, thus providing .a complete cover for. the opening in the top-0f the housing. It Will'be noted that the variousparts of the, apparatus are what maybe called standardized,,- and'the units or sections may be fabricated in several stock lengths. Also the spacing of the sockets maybe any. distances thatare desirable .merelyby select.- .ing the proper length of cover plates l4.-

In some instances it may be found that the overhead space abovethe. work plane may not be such as to dictate the'iuse of the hood. That maybe readily taken care of by-installing the housing and trough at proper distance fromthe ceiling so that the upwardly directed light rays from within the trough will be reflectedina downward direction to the work plane. While desirable, it is not necessarily essential, that the ceiling for such an installation should be a horizontal surface which is preferably painted or treated with some sort of light reflectingqmaterial.

What I claim is. v

1. Illuminating apparatus comprising a plurality of elongated units arranged-in end to end alinement, each said unit embodying a reflector trough, electric sockets and lamps within said trough, a relatively wide reflector hood above and overhanging said trough, said hood having a continuous uninterrupted concave reflecting surface above said trough, hangers connecting said trough and hood for adjustably maintaining them in spaced relation to each other, and reinforcing elements at the ends of said trough and hood and adapted for connection to the respective trough and hood of thenext succeeding unit of the apparatus.

2. Illuminating apparatus comprising a plurality of elongated sectional unitsarranged in end to end alinement, each said unit embodying a reflector trough having upwardly flared sides, an electric conduit housing in the bottom thereof, electric sockets and lamps within said trough, an elongated hood spaced above said trough and distance on each side, said hood having a continuous uninterrupted concave reflecting surface above said trough, hangers secured at their lower ends to said housing and having intermediate portions passed through said hood, means on said hangers and engaged with said hood for maintaining the latter in adjusted spaced relation to said trough, and means for securing adjacent ends of said units together and providing a continuous structure having substantial length.

3. Illuminating apparatus comprising a plurality of elongated units arranged in end to end alinement, each said unit embodying a reflector trough, an electric conduit housing in said trough and having an open top, removable closure plates extending across the housing opening, electric sockets and lamps mounted on said plates, an elongated hood above said trough and overhanging the edges thereof a substantial distance on each side, hangers extending through said hood and having their lower ends secured to said closure plates, and means on intermediate portions of said hangers and engaged with said hood for maintaining the latter in adjusted spaced relation to said trough.

. alinement, each said unit embodying said trough for A. Illuminating apparatus c mpri in aphiraliby of elongated units ;,arranged-in end to end a reflector trough, an electric conduithousing in said trough and having an open top, removable closure plates exten in -across the hous op n n l i sockets and lamps mounted on said plates, an elongated hood above said trough and overhanging., the,edges thereof a substantial distance on each side, hangers extending through said hood and having their lower ends secured to said closure plates,rmea ns on intermediate portionsof said hangers and engaged with said hood for maintain h the latter in adjusted spaced relation to said trough,.and reinforcing straps at the ,ends of saidtroughand hood and adapted for connection to the respective trough and hood of the next succeeding unit of the apparatus,

5. Illuminating apparatus comprising an elongated reflector trough,v a housing in the bottom of the reception of electric conductors, a plurality of electric sockets on said housing, lamps in said sockets, said trough adapted to reflect light rays, from said lamps in an upward direction out of said trough, an elongated relatively widev reflector hood above said trough, wherebylight rays from said lamps and said trough are reflected downward to a workplane below said trough, and means for supporting said hood in spaced relation to said trough, said means embodying devices for adjusting said trough and said hood relative to each other.

6. Illuminating apparatus comprising an elongated reflector trough, a housing inthe bottom of said trough for the reception of electric conductors, said housing having an open top, removable closure plates extending across said housing opening, a plurality of electric sockets on said-closure plates, lamps in said sockets, said trough adapted to reflect light rays from said lamps in an upward direction out of said trough, an elongatedrelatively wide reflector hood above said trough, whereby light raysfrom said lamps .and said trough are reflected downward to a work-plane below said trough, and means for supporting said hood in spaced relation to said trough, said means embodying devices for adjusting said trough and said hood relative to each other. I

l. Illuminating apparatus comprising an elongated reflector trough, a housing in the bottom of said trough for the reception of electric conductors, a plurality of housing, lamps in said sockets, said trough adapted to reflect light rays from said lamps in an upward direction out of said trough, an elongated relatively wide reflector hood above said trough, whereby light rays from said lamps and said trough are reflected downward to a workplane below said trough, and hangers secured at their lower ends tosaid closure plates and having intermediate portions passed through said hood, and means on said hangers and engaged with said hood for maintaining the latter in adjusted spaced relation to said trough.

8. Illuminating apparatus embodying an elongated electric conductor housing of substantially rectangular cross-section tudinal opening in its top, removable closure members extending across said opening, an elongated trough having a U-shaped channel in its lower portion that embraces the sides and bottom of said housing, each sidewall of said trough being extended above said housing and having a plurality of parallel longitudinal reflecting bands,

electric sockets on said and having a longiand electric sockets and lamps mounted on certain of said closure members with said lamps positioned between oppositely disposed reflecting bands of said trough; and an elongated relatively wide hood above said trough, said hood having a continuous uninterrupted concave reflecting surface receiving light rays from said lamps and trough.

9. A sectional illuminating apparatus comprising a plurality of elongated units arranged in end to end alinement, each of said units embodying an elongated conductor housing having a longitudinal opening in its top, removable closure members extending across said opening, an elongated trough having its lower portion embracing said housing, each side-wall of said trough being extended above said housing and having a plurality of parallel longitudinal reflecting bands, electric sockets and lamps mounted on certain of said closure members with said lamps positioned between oppositely disposed reflecting bands, an elongated relatively wide hood above said trough, said hood having a continuous uninterrupted concave reflecting surface receiving light rays from said lamps and trough, means for supporting said unit, and devices for securing the ends of a unit to the ends of adjacent units whereby to provide an illuminating apparatus of desired and substantial length.

10. An illuminating device comprising a plu rality of end to end units, each said unit embodying a relatively wide elongate hood having a continuous uninterrupted concave reflector surface on its lower face; electric sockets and lamps below said hood and spaced therefrom; means for supporting said sockets on said hood, said means adapted for adjustment whereby to selectively position said lamps with respect tosaid hood; reflecting means disposed lateral to said lamps and below said hood, said reflecting means adapted to emit light rays outwardly, said reflecting means also adapted to shield the eyes of persons adjacent the device from the direct rays of light from said lamps; and devices at the ends of said hood and said reflecting means adapted for connection to the respective hood and reflecting means of the next succeeding unit of the apparatus.

below said hood and spaced therefrom; means for supporting said sockets on said hood, said means adapted for adjustment whereby to selectively position said lamps with respect to said hood; reflecting means disposed lateral to said lamps and adapted to emit light rays upwardly, the upper margins of said reflecting means terminating in a horizontal plane a substantial distance below the horizontal plane of the lowermost portions of said hood, said reflecting means adapted to prevent escape of upward light flux below said hood, said reflecting means also adapted to shield the eyes from the direct rays of light from said lamps; and devices at the ends said reflecting means adapted the respective hood and refleeting means of the next succeeding unit of the apparatus.

12. An illuminating device comprising a plurality of end to end units, each said unit embodying a relatively wide elongate hood having a continuous uninterrupted concave reflector surface on its lower face; a light source below said hood and spaced therefrom; means for supporting said light source on said hood, said means adapted for adjustment whereby to selectively position said light source with respect to said hood; reflecting means disposed lateral to said light source and below said hood, said reflecting means adapted to emit light rays upwardly to said hood, said reflecting means also adapted to shield the eyes of persons adjacent the device from direct rays from said light source; and devices at the ends of said hood and said reflecting means adapted for connection to the respective hood and reflecting means of the next succeeding unit of the apparatus.

HARRY J. DILLON. 

